Admission
Students must be admitted the UAB School of Medicine (SOM) MD program before being considered for the Coordinated MD/MPH Program. Interested students will have the School of Medicine forward their application materials to the School of Public Health (SOPH), submit to the Graduate School a SOPH application, career goals statement and indicate a primary area of interest. Students may elect to apply to both programs at the same time, to the MPH program after they have matriculated to medical school or if accepted to the SOM after enrolling in the MPH the student may transfer to the coordinated degree. It is anticipated that the majority of students will devote a year to the MPH degree, between the third and fourth years of medical school. Alternatives to this arrangement will be considered by the student and his or her advisor. It is expected that both programs will be completed within five years, at which time both degrees will be awarded. The Associate Dean will review the application and make an admission decision. The Associate Dean will serve as the advisor for all MD/MPH students.
MPH Program
The MPH is a minimum of 42 hours, with a minimum of 34 hours of SOPH coursework and 8 hours of scholarly work required by the SOM. This would be a General Track MPH, but students would be affiliated with a department and the department could count the student toward the benchmark enrollment goal.
| MPH Core Courses | 19 hours |
| BST611 & 612 | 6 hours |
| EPI610 | 4 hours |
| HB600 | 3 hours |
| ENH600 | 3 hours |
| HCOP600 | 3 hours |
| Integrative Experience (PUH 695) | 3 hours |
| Focus Courses | 12-15 hours |
| 12-15 hours from one of the SOPH departments. These courses would be determined by the student in consultation with the SOPH advisor | |
| Total SOPH Coursework | 34 hours |
| Credit from MD Curriculum | 8 or more hours |
| Each medical student will complete a scholarly project for a minimum of 8 hours. This project will have a public health focus and the student will be advised by a School of Public Health mentor. | |
| Total for MPH | 42 or more hours |
There would be no specific timeframe or schedule set for students to complete the degree. Students could complete it on any schedule they desire, but would need to complete all requirements prior to or concurrent with meeting the requirements for the MD. Students would be permitted to take SOPH courses at the same time they are taking SOM coursework with permission from their SOM advisor.
Entry
The student could enter the MPH at any time during enrollment in the MD, but there would need to be evidence that there is enough time to complete the MPH prior to completion of the MD. A student who is already enrolled in a UAB SOPH MPH who is subsequently accepted to the UAB SOM could apply to transfer into the MD/MPH.
Dropping out of the Program prior to completion
Students MUST complete both degrees to successfully complete the program. Students must meet with the MD/MPH committee to request a leave or to drop out of the program.
